Van der Valk launches Santa Maria T

Van der Valk Shipyard in the Netherlands has launched the 36.80-metre Santa Maria T, part of its Continental Four range. The largest trawler yacht built by Van der Valk to date, she represents the first of a new generation of designs created in partnership with Guido de Groot. Santa Maria T also showcases a brand-new two-axis fin antiroll damping system that provides stabilization underway and at zero speed.

The Continental Four series embodies a style that is classic, timeless yet clearly distinctive. Van der Valk took great care to ensure the best possible sailing and sea keeping qualities for this design, including an original round-bilged steel hull. Built to endure the toughest weather conditions, Santa Maria T has a large fuel capacity that ensures a transatlantic range. She is a full displacement motor yacht with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure; an all-aluminium fast-displacement version of the Continental Four is also available.

Customised super yacht

Both the exterior and interior of Santa Maria T were fully customised to her owner’s wishes. Entering the aft deck from the winding staircase it is clear that this is a proper super yacht. The aft deck itself is spacious and contains an eight-person seating area with table as well as a small pantry with sink and refrigerator. A four-way foldable stainless steel door links the aft deck with the main saloon.

Exemplifying a striking art-nouveau interior style, this area is characterised by some fine detailing. The mahogany woodwork is enhanced with Pacific madrona burl inlays, solid herringbone floorings, embossed alcantara panelling on walls and ceilings, indirect lighting, and perfectly matching artwork.

The professionally equipped galley includes all the items a chef could need. The corridor on the starboard side offers access to the day head, the captain’s office and the forward helm station. The three-metre dashboard is beautifully upholstered with green top grain leather and equipped with the latest SIMRAD navigation equipment. A two-person settee on each side of the dashboard allows guests to enjoy the same forward views as the captain. The wheelhouse is fitted with a side door on each side.

Impressive owners’ area

An upholstered spiral staircase provides access to the lower deck area. This section was designed exclusively for the owner and his guests. Fifty per cent of the total accommodation space is taken up by the owner’s quarters. The main stateroom is located amidships and features a bed upholstered entirely in leather, as well as a huge walk-in wardrobe, office, lounge and ensuite bathroom. The latter is finished entirely in two marble tones – green and off-white – and features a cast iron bathtub.

The remainder of the accommodation deck is taken up by three guest cabins – a double VIP suite in the bow, a twin guest cabin to port, and a twin queen-sized bunk bed cabin to starboard. All of the guest cabins have their own private bathroom, also finished in two different tones of marble. The crew premises aft comprise three cabins with direct access to the engine room and lazarette, a spacious galley, a crew mess and two bathrooms.

Powerful performance

Santa Maria T boasts a considerable engine room. The two Volvo Penta D16 MH 651 hp engines can be walked around. The D16 engines come with a rating 1 continuous duty certificate, meaning they can perform 24/7 without a single stop. Santa Maria T is the first yacht in the world delivered with an all-new two-axis fin antiroll damping system that provides stabilization both underway and at zero speed without compromising performance in either circumstance.

Other equipment of note aboard Santa Maria T includes the side boarding ladder (with side dock for mooring a tender), hydraulic lazarette hatch, hydraulic swim ladder and customised and widened hydraulic passerelle. Her fly bridge can be accessed from both inside and outside (via stairs on the aft deck).

At almost 20 metres in length, the fly bridge itself is huge. Everything needed for warm days in the sun can be found upstairs: a full aluminium hardtop, two spacious dining/lounge areas, a kitchen/wet bar with refrigerators, ice maker and a barbeque, an area dedicated to sun beds, and a crane with a capacity of 1200 kg for launching the custom 6.40-metre carbon fibre Beach lander tender.

Global reputation

In summary, the 36.80-metre Santa Maria T has set the standard for the new Continental Four range and is sure to impress as she traverses the world. Van der Valkhas proven that this exciting new series of trawler yachts has everything it takes to enhance the global reputation of this Dutch yard as it approaches its silver jubilee.